Moeller High School 2008-09 Tennis Articles

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GCL TENNis;~ ANYONE? St. Xavier rolled to the ( '3req_ler Catholic League tennis title Satu\~5!?;, losing only one match along the way. Ttfat loss was to Moeller's Ahmed Zaman (rigl)t), a sophomore who's a rising star at first singles. High schools, C4

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High school tennis

St. X cruises to title, but ¥,qeller takes a big step ByTo~R~~;rer tramstetter@enquirer.com

The St Xavier tennis team cruised to the Greater Catholic League South title Saturday as the GCL schools took turns playing each other to settle the league crown. The Bombers won matches against Moeller, Elder and La Salle, but St. Xavier wasn't the only story on the courts.

Moeller sophomore Ahmed Zaman earned three wins at first singles for the Crusaders, the first of which was the only win for Moeller against the Bombers. St. Xavier beat Moeller 4-1 in the first match of the day for both schools at La Salle.

In fact, it was the only match the Bombers dropped all day. \Vithout St Xavier standout junior Ryan Bandy competing, Zaman rolled over Bombers junior Eric Naugle 6-2,6-2.

"I just played my own game, just tried to play consistent," Zaman said. "Stay calm, stay positive. He played well. He had some really good shots. I just was more consistent" Zaman, a sophomore, is in his second season as the Crusaders' first singles player.

"We put him at Court 1and put a lot of pressure on him (as a freshman)," Moeller coach Gary Hopkins said.

"He didn't have the greatest year, but he learned a lot He really carried himself well.

He worked really hard in the offseason and came in this year really strong."

Zaman, 15, said he has been playing tennis since the age of 10. But Saturday's first win was the biggest of his career, even if Bandy wasn't the foe to fall.

"It just feels good not just for me but for Moeller in general because we have lost to

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Moeller's Ahmed Zaman recorded a victory at first singles over Sto Xavier's Eric Nai.igle on Saturday at the Greater Catholic League Sou:h toumanert.

them a lot of times 5-0, losing all the courts," Zaman said,

referring to St X. "For me to finally get one of the courts, it feels good. To finally get a court on them is big. Not just for me, but for the team."

Zaman also beat La Salle sophomore Anthony Heckle 6-1, 6-0 in a Moeller 3-2 win over the Lancers, anC: Elder sophomore Drew Schroeder 6-0, 6-2 in a 3-2 loss to the Panthers.

Heading toward the postseason, Moeller's top player is looking for more success.

"I lost in the first round of the sectionals last year," Za-

Final GCL South standings 1. St. Xavier; 2. (tie) Moeller; 2. (tie) Elder; 4. La Salle

man said. "I think I'm mere mature this year. I'm mare comfortable with the surroundings of playing first singles now. That goes to ti1e coaches, too. They don't put any pressure on me playing first singles. They just tell me to go out and play hard every day.... " His coach can see the difference a year has made.

''What he C::oes wet is he figures out his opponenfs wearne;;s ear:y and then he caphiizes on it," Hopkins said. "Til.at's Llle key to him. :vtos:t <>f his Jf:lffies are very quic~ games l:ecause he has such a good court awaren~ss, and it you have that with g:>od racquet speeci. it will influence the ou1come of the matches.

"From a maturity stztlldpoint, !J.e's come a long wa.y."

The Bombers went or. to beat Elder anC: La Sail~ 5-0.

Elder !mocked off the Lancers 5-C before losing to St. X and fuen beating Moeller.

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Moeller tennis rebuilds J!l/'l.!f 1~ 9

By Matt' Cli~ifot.& mchalifoux@communitypress.com

The Moeller High School tennis team is in rebuilding mode .this season, starting the year 3-2 and 1-1 in the GCL. "We're respectable, but we're , very young," said head coach Gary Hopkins. "We have a few freshmen starting for us this year along with a sophomore, but we've got a great group of kids."

The team plays a strong schedule, including matches against many of the perennial tennis powerhouses in the city.

"St. Xavier is very respectable, along with the rest of the GCL. We play Summit, Seven Hills, Cincinnatt Country Day, Indian Hill," he said. "Lakota East is another good team this year. That's how you get better, by playing better teams."

The team is led by sophomore Ahmed Zaman, who is the team's No. 1' singles ¡player. Brian Mitchell plays No. 2 singles and

the team is expecting big things from his as well.

"Our expectations are always the same and the kids will step up to the plate," he said. "It's challenging for them, but they will pull off a few surprises this year."

Hopkins said most players at the high school level are developed through private lessons and tournaments and that his .main job is to know how to motivate the team.

"Just knowing how to motivate the kids in a positive manner and reprimand them in a positive way.

You need to know what buttons to push to get the most out of them," Hopkins said.

The 2009 Crusaders tennis team has two defining attributes, according to their head coach.

"We don't quit, no matter how far we're down, and the confidence they have in themselves," he said. "That's the biggest thing, people notice their confidence and desire to win."

MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF

Moeller's Ahmed Zaman is the team's top